Multifactorial

Multifactorial
Multiple factors. Multifactorial inheritance is the type of hereditary pattern seen when there is more than one genetic factor involved and, sometimes, when there are also environmental factors participating in the causation of a condition. Many common traits are multifactorial. Skin color, for example, is multifactorially determined. So is height and so also is intelligence. The most common diseases tend also to multifactorial. Type 2 diabetes, the most common type of diabetes, is multifactorial. It is due to the inheritance of susceptibility genes (genes that make one susceptible to developing diabetes) plus environmental factors such as obesity. Obesity, in turn, clearly is multifactorial in causation.

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mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al -fak-'tōr-ē-əl, -'tȯr- adj
1) having characters or a mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes at different loci
2) or mul·ti·fac·tor -'fak-tər having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes <a \multifactorial study> <a disease with a \multifactorial etiology>
mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al·ly -ē-ə-lē adv
mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al·i·ty -.tōr-ē-'al-ət-ē, -.tȯr- n, pl -ties

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adj.
describing a condition that is believed to have resulted from the interaction of genetic factors, usually polygenes, with an environmental factor or factors. Many disorders, e.g. spina bifida and anencephaly, are thought to be multifactorial.

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mul·ti·fac·to·ri·al (mul″te-fak-torґe-əl) 1. of or pertaining to, or arising through the action of many factors. 2. in genetics, arising as the result of the interaction of several genes and usually, to some extent, of nongenetic factors. Cf. polygenic.

Medical dictionary. 2011.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Multifactorial — can refer to: The multifactorial in mathematics. Multifactorial inheritance, a pattern of predisposition for a disease process. This disambiguation page lists articles associated with the same title. If an internal link led …   Wikipedia

  • multifactorial — Relativo, perteneciente o característico de cualquier proceso o enfermedad producido por la interacción de muchos factores; en especial, la interacción de varios genes, normalmente poligenes, con o sin la implicación de factores ambientales.… …   Diccionario médico

  • multifactorial — MULTIFACTORIÁL, Ă adj. condiţionat de mai mulţi factori. (< fr. multifactoriel) Trimis de raduborza, 03.12.2007. Sursa: MDN …   Dicționar Român

  • multifactorial — (adj.) also multi factorial, 1920, from MULTI (Cf. multi ) + FACTORIAL (Cf. factorial) …   Etymology dictionary

  • multifactorial — multifactorially, adv. /mul tee fak tawr ee euhl, tohr , mul tuy /, adj. having or stemming from a number of different causes or influences: Some medical researchers regard cancer as a multifactorial disease. [1915 20; MULTI + FACTOR + IAL] * * * …   Universalium

  • multifactorial — adj. describing a condition that is believed to have resulted from the interaction of genetic factors, usually polygenes, with an environmental factor or factors. Many disorders, e.g. spina bifida and anencephaly, are thought to be multifactorial …   The new mediacal dictionary

  • Multifactorial inheritance — The type of hereditary pattern seen when there is more than one genetic factor involved and, sometimes, when there are also environmental factors participating in the causation of a condition. Many common traits are multifactorial. Skin color,… …   Medical dictionary

  • multifactorial — adjective Date: 1920 1. having characters or a mode of inheritance dependent on a number of genes at different loci 2. (or multifactor) having, involving, or produced by a variety of elements or causes • multifactorially adverb …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • multifactorial — adj. [L. multus, many; facere, to do] Controlled by several gene loci …   Dictionary of invertebrate zoology

  • multifactorial — adjective a) Involving, or controlled by multiple factors b) Involving multiple genetic and/or environmental factors …   Wiktionary

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